California Polytechnic State University

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo ( Cal Poly) serves as a distinctive learning community for academically motivated students who seek a challenging, hands-on education in order to prepare for professional and personal success in an increasingly scientific and technological world.

Cal Poly enjoys an undisputed and enviable reputation of graduating competent, workplace-ready, hard-working professionals, who are highly respected for their ability to adapt, evolve, and thrive in an increasingly technological and interconnected world, where change is the only constant.

Learn by Doing:

Regardless of your major, Cal Poly intentionally integrates theoretical learning in the classroom with practical, outside-the-classroom learning experiences. These experiences take the form of research in state-of-the-art laboratories and workshops; fieldwork and field visits to sites across the nation and beyond; and internships and other workplace-centered opportunities. The entire Cal Poly community is dedicated to interdisciplinary learning and collaboration, co-curricular engagement and career preparation across every aspect of the college experience. Cal Poly prepares students to become successful and resourceful professionals in their fields, and enables them to serve as whole-system thinkers and dynamic, multifaceted leaders who enrich their professions and their communities.

Location:

Some of the biggest professional, academic and lifestyle advantages of being a Cal Poly student derive from its centralized and stunning location in the classic college town of San Luis Obispo, just minutes from the Pacific Ocean. Cal Poly’s setting provides a distinctive blend of small-town charm, sun-soaked beaches, and a laid-back yet confident approach to life — all with easy access to California’s hubs of entrepreneurship and innovation. Cal Poly students live and learn as part of a supportive and highly engaged community on a beautiful, 24 km2 residential campus, an oceanographic research facility in nearby Avila Beach, and a 12 km2 filed laboratory north of Santa Cruz, California. In fact, Cal Poly is one of the largest land-holding universities in the nation, providing abundant living laboratories for student projects and Learn by Doing experiences.

Rankings:

As a selective, nationally ranked university, Cal poly enables some of the brightest, most academically motivated minds across the state and beyond, to become the kind of whole system thinkers, professionals and leaders who can truly change the world. The multi-pronged strategic plan developed by Cal Poly following the recession of the early 1990s to enhance its unique “Learn by Doing” philosophy and polytechnic mission within the CSU system continues to work powerfully toward preparing Cal Poly graduates for all-around success in an increasingly scientific, technological, and interconnected world. This plan continues to differentiate the University from its competitors and its peer institutions in unique ways:

For 24 consecutive years Cal Poly was ranked as the number one public, master’s-level university in the West by U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges.

The 2017 guidebook lists Cal Poly in top 10 regional public and private universities in the West.

College of Engineering was ranked No. 5 on the list of best master’s/bachelor’s program in 2017

The Environmental engineering program is ranked the best master’s/bachelor’s program in the nation in 2017

The Civil engineering program ranks No. 3 in 2017

The Electrical engineering ranks No. 4 in 2017

The Mechanical engineering ranks No. 5 in 2017

The Architecture program ranks No.2 in 2016 by Design Intelligence

The Aerospace Engineering programs ranks No.1 in the U.S. for The Aerospace and Defense Industries by Aviation Week & Space Technology, 2015

The Physics undergraduate program ranks no.2 by American Institute of Physics, 2015

California Polytechnic State University, San Luis Obispo ( Cal Poly) serves as a distinctive learning community for academically motivated students who seek a challenging, hands-on education in order to prepare for professional and personal success in an increasingly scientific and technological world.

Cal Poly enjoys an undisputed and enviable reputation of graduating competent, workplace-ready, hard-working professionals, who are highly respected for their ability to adapt, evolve, and thrive in an increasingly technological and interconnected world, where change is the only constant.

Learn by Doing:

Regardless of your major, Cal Poly intentionally integrates theoretical learning in the classroom with practical, outside-the-classroom learning experiences. These experiences take the form of research in state-of-the-art laboratories and workshops; fieldwork and field visits to sites across the nation and beyond; and internships and other workplace-centered opportunities. The entire Cal Poly community is dedicated to interdisciplinary learning and collaboration, co-curricular engagement and career preparation across every aspect of the college experience. Cal Poly prepares students to become successful and resourceful professionals in their fields, and enables them to serve as whole-system thinkers and dynamic, multifaceted leaders who enrich their professions and their communities.

Location:

Some of the biggest professional, academic and lifestyle advantages of being a Cal Poly student derive from its centralized and stunning location in the classic college town of San Luis Obispo, just minutes from the Pacific Ocean. Cal Poly’s setting provides a distinctive blend of small-town charm, sun-soaked beaches, and a laid-back yet confident approach to life — all with easy access to California’s hubs of entrepreneurship and innovation. Cal Poly students live and learn as part of a supportive and highly engaged community on a beautiful, 24 km2 residential campus, an oceanographic research facility in nearby Avila Beach, and a 12 km2 filed laboratory north of Santa Cruz, California. In fact, Cal Poly is one of the largest land-holding universities in the nation, providing abundant living laboratories for student projects and Learn by Doing experiences.

Rankings:

As a selective, nationally ranked university, Cal poly enables some of the brightest, most academically motivated minds across the state and beyond, to become the kind of whole system thinkers, professionals and leaders who can truly change the world. The multi-pronged strategic plan developed by Cal Poly following the recession of the early 1990s to enhance its unique “Learn by Doing” philosophy and polytechnic mission within the CSU system continues to work powerfully toward preparing Cal Poly graduates for all-around success in an increasingly scientific, technological, and interconnected world. This plan continues to differentiate the University from its competitors and its peer institutions in unique ways:

For 24 consecutive years Cal Poly was ranked as the number one public, master’s-level university in the West by U.S. News & World Report’s America’s Best Colleges.

The 2017 guidebook lists Cal Poly in top 10 regional public and private universities in the West.

College of Engineering was ranked No. 5 on the list of best master’s/bachelor’s program in 2017

The Environmental engineering program is ranked the best master’s/bachelor’s program in the nation in 2017

The Civil engineering program ranks No. 3 in 2017

The Electrical engineering ranks No. 4 in 2017

The Mechanical engineering ranks No. 5 in 2017

The Architecture program ranks No.2 in 2016 by Design Intelligence

The Aerospace Engineering programs ranks No.1 in the U.S. for The Aerospace and Defense Industries by Aviation Week & Space Technology, 2015

The Physics undergraduate program ranks no.2 by American Institute of Physics, 2015